About the Breast Cancer Walk in Albuquerque, NM

By Rhonda Campbell

Overview

The American Cancer Society sponsors the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event that takes place in Albuquerque, N.M. The walk is used to increase awareness around breast cancer and to raise money to help find a cure for the disease. Women and men alike are invited to participate in the walk. In 2007, the walk raised more than $50 million across the United States and had more than 500,000 participants. Local sponsors for the Breast Cancer Walk in Albuquerque include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico, First Financial Credit Union, KASA Fox 2, The Peak 100.3, Univision New Mexico and Wal-Mart.

About the Breast Cancer Walk in Albuquerque, NM

History

The American Cancer Society leads all other organizations in the United States' in regards to providing money for private, nonprofit cancer research. Since 1946, the American Cancer Society has raised over $3.1 billion and helped patients, hospitals, care centers, etc. Nationally, the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk started in 1993. Since its inception the walk has raised more than $340 million with the efforts of more than four million walkers.
The 2009 "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk marks its 10th year in Albuquerque. In 2008, the walk in Albuquerque raised more than $150,000. Members from the College of Santa Fe participated in the 2008 walk. More than 17,000 people participated in the 2007 walk, which raised almost $470,000. Mothers and daughters participate in the walk together. Breast-cancer survivors don their sneakers and sweats and get in the walk alongside family and friends.

Significance

As the website for the Albuquerque, New Mexico Breast Cancer Walk states, "Your support enables the American Cancer Society to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research, provide up-to-date cancer prevention and early detection information, help ensure all women have access to mammograms and follow-up care, and provide free programs and services that improve the quality of life for people facing breast cancer." In 2006, event and organization volunteers worked to keep alive the federal bill that calls for insurance companies to cover the cost of mammograms. Interested persons can let their voice be heard for mammogram availability to all women by contacting Congress through the following link: http://action.acscan.org/site/PageServer?pagename=MakingStrides2

Registration and More Information

Former participants can visit the American Cancer Society website and use their previous login and password to learn more about the walk and other services the American Cancer Society offers. New registrants can visit the American Cancer Society website and click "My Participant Center" in order to register to gain more information about breast cancer through the website. There is no fee or pre-registration required to participate in the actual walk. Participants can walk as individuals or as teams. Some of the teams participating in the 2009 walk include First Financial Credit Union, Morgan Walkers for a Cure and Greystar Management.

Time Frame

The Albuquerque, New Mexico Breast Cancer Walk is held between 8:00 A.M. and 10:00 A.M. in late April. The run is 5 miles long. Participants can register the morning of the walk starting at 8:00 A.M. The 2009 walk begins at the Cottonwood Mall located at 10000 Coors Boulevard Bypass Northwest. So far, more than $2,000 has been raised from donations for the 2009 walk.

Benefits

Money raised from the walk helps to pay for services and works offered through the American Cancer Society such as research, 24-hour cancer hotline, radiation treatment, community programs and services, and efforts for increased public policies that benefit people challenged with breast cancer as well as their families and loved ones.